waitress was very rude, not nice, very rushed, worst waitress ever had in my life. Will not be going back ever, do not recommend read more

It used to be really good but sadly went down hill tremendously. Went there for an anniversary dinner and ordered a burrito grande, it was completely full of sour cream and refried beans and was very very small. Unappetizing read more

The food is normally pretty good that's the only decent thing about this place though. The staff is incredibly rude and will make you uncomfortable. They are only open 4 hours a day (4pm-8pm) if you come at 7 you will get dirty looks saying they will be closed soon. That's if they even seat you sometimes they will just turn you away for it being "too busy" meanwhile their competitor down the road is packed to the brim and still maintaining excellent service. read more

I'm not one to write bad reviews, but if I could give this restaurant a zero star, I would. Very upset that we did not read the reviews before visiting this place. First off we ordered an appetizer (nachos) and it came out with our entrées. Nowhere near authentic Mexican food, they don't even give you free chips and salsa like most. Don't waste your time and go to Taco Bell instead. read more

I kept on hearing that radio ad with the fancy song about the Salsa, so gave it a shot. Interior is old and dated. Was disappointed to see that I had to pay extra for chips and salsa, then got dinged for an extra hot salsa. The biggest complaint with this is they charge you for something most authentic Mexican joints give for free. If I'm paying for chips, they better be good. In this case, not so much, these tortilla chips were plain old store bought. I could have better chips from Holiday Gas Station. Chimichanga was so so, but the rice and beans was also a joke. Cold, overcooked rice and cold beans scooped in the shape of an ice cream scooper. Totally cafeteria food. Nowhere near authentic Mexican. Save your money and go to Taco Bell. read more

Our favorite Mexican food stop in Escanaba. Margaritas are large and the salsa is just right ( medium or HOT). Greeted promptly at the door and had a very sweet waitress. The owner is very friendly and fun to talk to. The food is good and the portions plentiful. This building was a tata club in the 80s and the mirror is still on the ceiling! I really think you will enjoy your visit. read more

Good service and good hot salsa. Flaming fajitas were passable, but meat was precooked and then reheated which made the meat, especially the shrimp, tough. Fajita portion size was small. Tasty, but not the flavors of Mexico. Tastes distinctly Asian. My three shredded pork tacos had tepid, tasteless meat and were covered with melted cheese. Please. The cook needs to travel to Mexico and eat a carnitas taco. You don't tamper with perfection. In addition, the decor needs help. Pull out the filthy carpet and give the Toucans and fake plants a good dusting. If it weren't for our waitress who I suspect is the owner, I would give this place zero stars. Won't eat there again unless something changes. read more

Ferdinand's Mexican American Restaurant - Three taco plate. I thought it was a wet burrito at first. - Mexican Near Me - Escanaba, Michigan

I come from Southern California and am in the Coast Guard, so we travel around quite a bit breaking ice in the Great Lakes. It's been a struggle to find a good Mexican food place that can live up to the authentic Mexican food from Los Angeles. This place more than lives up to that standard. From the friendly staff to the amazing food, I can't recommend this place enough. Easily 5 stars. read more

5 top, 3 of us got our food and finished before the other 2 because the server submitted on two separate tickets. NOTHING IS MADE FROM SCRATCH except the salsa. Only 2 servers on staff, drinks were not refilled promptly, food was served cold. Fajitas were served on a hot cast iron plate, not sizzling and she pour something on it and lit it on fire. WTF! Tamale's are NOT HOMEMADE.. disgusting place! Whole kitchen staff need fired. Owner ripped me off for $85. Large guac was 2-3oz max. Just freaking made as all get out at this place. I don't care that it was May 5. Get your business together or close your doors! I will never be back regardless. read more

Food was okay. I guess you can't hope for better Mexican food in escanaba michigan. Service was really good. Sodas should have free refills. read more

The waitress reached into a big bag of tortilla chips with her HAND and threw them into the bowl on our table. Need I say more?

We pulled in to Escabana and wanted to eat at a sit down restaurant instead of quick service. We saw a billboard for this restaurant on the main road in. The food is not any where near authentic. My chili relleno was covered in salsa (tasted like Ortega) and my husband's food was very bland. I understand that we are in the US an its not like we are going to find "authentic" food, but this food was blah. The waitress was great. So,note that service is NOT an issue:) read more

Service was sub par. waitress seemed to struggle with managing her tables (there were three) and she seemed incapable of understanding our order. We are regulars here and have been since the 90's and have seen servers come and go; sadly, it looks like all the best serves left. the food is "Mexican" in name only and cannot compare to our experiences with restaurants in California and the south west. however, for the UP, it is tasty enough in its own rite. the food is not exactly spiced with Old El Paso seasoning, but it's not far off. the margaritas tasted like the bartender simply looked at the tequila bottle when she made my drink and I won't waste my money on any more. atmosphere is intimate. the dining area is small with low light. it's comfortable over all, I Ieft well fed, and reasonably satisfied (as I always do) but the wait staff really need to improve as the service was always the thing that helped overcome the mediocre food and kept us coming back. read more

Was impressed with their salsa, chips could have been better. The taste of my "wet burrito" (being from NM we call it smothered) was good, shredded beef was very well seasoned. The "chile sauce" they used was more traditional Mexican which is great- has a more tomato taste. The rice was done well as were the frioles- could tell they were not from a can like most places here do. All in all I was pleased with the overall service, quality and setting read more

I came in after seeing the menu pics. I really wanted a chile rellano. It was... Okay at best. They used a yellow stringy cheese, not the awesome white cheese that is supposed to be in them. The salsa was okay, LOTs of cumin and garlic. Prices weren't too bad. I doubt I'd ever come back. Stop at Taco Bell instead. read more

I've bin going here sense I was a kid and I've seen it go down hill. It gets worse and worse every time. Very bland. Not recommend to no one if I could give no stars I would. read more

We have always eaten here and never had an issue, till tonight. 6 of us went for dinner and we ordered drinks and it took three times for the waitress to get it almost right . We ordered water never got any and then when we ordered dinner she seemed confused. I ordered enchiladas half green half red salsa with chicken. I get them beef and no sauce. She hands me two things of red sauce and tells me the green peppers in the salsa was salsa verde when I asked for chicken they brought it out after everyone was done with more red sauce. When I asked for salsa verde they said they were out. When I spoke to the owner she said she took off the food I didn't get, off the bill and that was all and the waitress was standing there smirking. I got the bill and paid the 103.00 bill and didn't leave a tip. On the way out the waitress looked at my friends and said "what a shame" seriously! read more

Ferdinand's is one of the best restaurants in the Escanaba area. It pays to be a regular, and to know what they specialize in. I go for either the flaming steak fajitas, or the shredded beef super wet burrito every time. The items outside of that are often much less impressive. If you are looking for a real authentic food experience, it is of the somewhat americanized version, but what do you expect in the U.P. The decor is very authentic and creative. The margaritas are excellent, and so is the salsa (mild only). I now live in the Chicago area, and have yet to find a salsa that compares to the mild salsa here. I could eat it by the pint. I always visit this place on trips back to the U.P. read more

Horrible food. The service was okay but the food is absolutely disgusting. I would recommend McDonald's over this place. It's bland seemed like it had sat under a heat lamp to cook. read more

Surprisingly decent Mexican food, especially the homemade salsas. The weak spot here has always been the service. They turn over wait staff faster than tortillas. read more

The flaming fajitas and the super wet burrito are the best items on the menu & better than I've been able to find anywhere else. Salsa is homemade and delicious! You can buy it by the jar! Decorating is authentic Mexican items brought back by the owners visits there. The strawberry margaritas are made fresh! read more

Stopped while traveling though- excellent choice, quick service, medium filled with friendly waitresses and hostess!

Service was great and food was good. Yvonne was quite accommodating. Not authentic Mexican, but very tasty. A relaxing atmosphere and overall great time. Ask for the 1800 margarita on the rocks! read more

Have been going here over the years and nothing changes. Food is the same, service is the same. Not bad, just not great. Other than Taco bell, they are the only mexican in town and cater to American tastes. Not very authentic. The place is kind of dark and I have noticed the same dirty areas for a long time. They do have the best salsa I've ever had and I like hot stuff, and their hot salsa is blow your head off hot the way I like it. Can't say I've ever had a bad meal, but never had a WOW meal either. The salsa is WOW though. Slammer!!! read more

Stopped in for lunch. Had the soup and salad bar which is consistent from day to day. The big problem was that the lone waitperson was swamped. I heard that people calling in sick has happened quite a bit, so while our person did her best, we had to leave without a refill on tea we wanted. Not good for working people who are on a schedule. read more

Will never order from here again. Ordered two cheese enchilada meals and they gave me one cheese enchilada meal with two separate sides of rice. When I called and asked why I didn't get the second cheese enchilada meal they said they charged me for two separate single cheese enchiladas and two separate sides of rice. How does that make any sense? Then I ordered two burger meals medium rare and they both came out crispy black. The lettuce on the burger was disgusting. And the second burger had melted cheese all over the box and fries. Gross to say the least. read more

It was good, I would eat there again. The reason is there are no other Mexican restaurants in the UP. Salsa was good, chips were disappointing. It isn't too difficult to make your own. The girlfriend and I had a combo plate 4 or 5 it was ok. Everything was mediocre. However, the Reallano pepper was excellent--nice to have the outer shell of the pepper crisp and not soggy. The service was "meh," the girlfriend and I were amused with the waitress who referred to us as "kids." King of the Mexican Restaurant Hill in the UP, so as long as there is no challengers. read more

This was a destination stop for dinner while we were vacationing in the area, and I'll say that all of our party of 4 were fairly impressed. The salsa was amazing, so much so that we ate several baskets of chips. All of our food was very good, near authentic Mexican dishes. Prices were reasonable for what was served. I would definitely return again. read more

Should have read the reviews on this one before we went! Yikes! Although the decor was ok, it was a little dark. Monday night - 7:00 pm - no one in the dining room. Hint #1 ignored. Waitress Francesca was pleasant. Two of us ordered Mexican dinners, one ordered hamburger plate. Hamburger was "okay", fries better. They offered refills, at full price - annoying. My Mexican dinner included two tostadas, and was served with rice and beans. First - the rice. Probably the worst I have ever had at a Mexican restaurant. Tasted like the packaged add water rice from the grocery store. Ate one bite. (I LOVE rice.) The beans were dry and disgusting. Tried to eat a tostada, which was stale. After one bite of that, I was done. I was actually afraid of food poisoning. Reminded me of the show "Hell's Kitchen" where they swoop in on crappy restaurants and show the food storage areas, etc. Took our bill to the bar where only the owner is apparently allowed to cash people out. She totally ignored us while she made a number of drinks for customers. After 10 minutes or longer, she finally accepted payment. I really wanted to walk out, but ... didn't. I would recommend steering clear of this place. read more

okay food, okay service, okay experience. Will I continue to eat there as long as I live in the area? Yes, it is only "Mexican" Restaurant within 75-100 miles. The food was okay. Nothing spectacular. However, it is drenched in sauce. Personally speaking, I would prefer a little less sauce and lettuce. Plating was terrible. Everything was crammed onto the plates. This made the food very unappealing. Service was okay, waitstaff didn't seem to care much. The waitress wore far too much perfume. Beware--there is a charge for soda refills. This comes off as cheap. Cut back on the lettuce and sauce, so I can have a free refill. In any event, I will probably be returning.... read more

Canned cheese, canned salsa, very generic, wouldn't eat here again. With just a little effort to hide the canned flavor, I would give it 4 stars for atmosphere. Obviously they don't care. Just travelling through. read more

Good Mexican and American food. My favorite is the chicken fajitas, the burgers and of course the margaritas. Service has been great every time we go. A bit greasy. read more

I'm glad Taco Bell was too packed to get in. What a great little place! Off the beaten path, delightful Mexican decor, and an awesome lunch buffet for $6.50! I'll be back! read more

I ate at this restaurant on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. The food was okay, but opportunity with the service. The servers are very task oriented and fast. The opportunity is they are not sincere and don't take time to talk with the customers. I observed this myself as well as with many other tables around me. They were very efficient and getting my food quickly. The food was mediocre, with nothing unique to want me to go back or take anyone there specifically for the food. When you're done with your meal at your table you take your bill to the bar to pay. The lady behind the bar, who I came to find out later was the owner, was busy talking with one of the servers about personal things. I stood there for almost 2 minutes while she was talking and did not acknowledge my being there until she was done and then took my bill. She never asked anything about my experience or how my meal was. I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Ferdinand's Mexican American Restaurant - outside - Mexican Near Me - Escanaba, Michigan

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Their mild salsa is really tasty, and the margaritas are good if that's your thing. Everything else is about as bland as it gets. Whenever my girlfriend and I get dragged here by friends, she gets a hamburger if that tells you anything. There's nothing wrong with the food, it's just very "blah" and flavorless. read more

My husband and I went there tonight for dinner, After waiting for over a half hour for our food, we finally got ahold of our server and asked when we could expect our food. She said it would be another 15-20 minutes! We had ordered a Taco Salad and a chimi dinner! She went on to say that an oven had quit earlier. It would have been nice if they would have told us that before we ordered. The table next to us had been waiting over 45 minutes. Both of us told them to nevermind and we left. Will not travel over 6 hours and stop there again! We found the Stone House to be great! read more

This place is okay, but only okay for Mexican food. Charging for soda refills at $2 each? I get that there is a bar, but even The Buck Inn and El Patron don't charge for soda refills. read more